HOIST-N-HAWGS

2nd T pushed to 4/26. *2) Blackstone River, CF ramp, Central Falls RI, APRIL 26th 7-3pm.

You heard correctly! But that doesn't mean they all now how to catch-em

By: Scott Smith B.A.S.S. Open Series Pro Smith's article on color selection in bass fishing is half analysis of factors that lead to successful angling, and half tribute to one of the sport's greatest anglers. Whether you fish for bass, walleye, trout, saltwater fish or anything else that is targeted with artifiical lures or flies, this breakdown helps put things in perspective. I've spent the last 15 years of my life trying to figure out how a skinny, sometimes nerdy looking, and definitely funny talking yankee boy from Michigan could absolutely dominate the sport that we all know can't be consistently dominated. He's just lucky, A blind hog'll find a nut every now'n then. These, and many more bitter assessments were made as I tried desperately not to like a guy that didn't fit the mold of our beloved Southern Sportsman! The facts are you don't accomplish what Kevin Vandam has without more than luck on your side. Unless he and Robert Johnson made the same deal at the crossroads, KVD knows something that most don't. Maybe I should say he understands something that most don't. It wasn't until recently that I figured out what that was. I was lucky enough to grow up learning from some of the greatest fishermen I've ever been around. Between my uncle, my dad, and the grand old man himself Daddy Frank, I was given a first class fishing education that taught me so much about what is and what isn't important when it comes to being a consistently successful fisherman. Fast forward to 2005. After winning his 2nd Bassmasters Classic and his 3rd Major B.A.S.S. event in a row, I finally decided to put my ignorance and prejudice aside and learn what it was about KVD that made him so special. By now it was obvious even to me that luck alone wasn't his secret. But what was it? Was it some new secret lure? Some KVD Signature Series rod or reel? Of course not. Ask any good fisherman (especially an old timer) and he'll tell you without any hesitation that success absolutely cannot be bought in a shiny new $25.00 crankbait or $600.00 rod and reel set up. It only took a few minutes of listening to KVD talk to realize that he fully understands the same simple lessons that I've been taught since I was a little kid learning to walk with the aid of my dad's old Lamiglass rod and Ambassadeur 5000C. It was so wonderful to hear a Pro that really sounded like a Pro for a change. Of course he's got to sell his sponsors products, and therefore the obligatory Use red hooks cause they catch more fish nonsense comes out, but if you are able to look past all that marketing, you'll hear a man that is full of real fishing knowledge. As Daddy Frank always said, Knowledge is the key to fishing success. Sit down and put together a list of factors that are most important to you when it comes to fishing. List them in order of importance from 1-10, ten being the least important and 1 being the most important. If you're like a lot fishermen and even a good majority of the Pros out there your list might look something like this. Price of Bait Bait Color Hook Color Blade Color Skirt Color Color again Rod Reel Line Scent If your list looked something similar to this don't feel bad. This is what we as fishermen have been conditioned for years to believe is the key to catching more fish. Don't fault the pro's, heck they're just trying to make a living, and pushing their sponsors products is a necessary evil. Don't blame the tackle manufacturers; they're just trying to run a business. But also don't believe everything you read in a Bass Fishing Magazine, or see on a television show, the reality is that best case scenario its biased information. It quickly became clear to me why KVD is the monster fisherman he is. Just listen to him; instead of talking about his purple creek chub with a pink hiney, he talks about things like Depth of Presentation. Instead of going on and on about red eyes on blades, he talks about Speed of Presentation. Instead of the latest version of AXE scent for Fish, guaranteed to drive all the girl bass crazy, he talks about Size of Presentation. Instead of rambling on regurgitating the same old Pro-Speak that a vast majority of fishermen do, he talks about Light Penetration. Then he follows that up with things like, time of year, weather, and water conditions. He doesn't just speak about these things as being on the top of his list of priorities; it is obvious that he truly understands what he's saying. This is what we, as fishermen should strive to achieve. A complete understanding of the basics of bass. How, where, and when to find them. It's not until way down the list does he even touch on color. So why then do fishermen put so much emphasis on it? I'm not saying that color is not a factor that should be considered. I am saying that too much emphasis on color will hinder you from learning the really important things that will make you a better fisherman. Keep it simple when it comes to color. Some sort of Natural/Clear color, some sort of Dark color, and some sort of bright color i.e. Chartreuse, etc. are really all you'll need for any fishing situation. Don't let yourself get caught up in that Magic Color syndrome. Spend your time learning how to properly read a map. Learn where to find fish based on time of year, water conditions, etc. These are the things that create consistent success. I've put together my top ten list, my mental checklist that I go through any time I'm about to begin a trip. Time of Year Weather Conditions Water Conditions Light Conditions Depth of Presentation Speed of Presentation Size of Presentation Lunch Is there plenty of toilet paper in the boat (?)

;D We'll have to do another get together and set it up soon to avoid conflicts w/us toury ******'s

Not trying to knock you fisher but, I thought we talked about this same thing last year about trying to take better care of the fish? :-? Sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do. Seems a bit wrecklees. If that's what has to be done in order to show off your catch, and everyone did it, there wouldn't be any fish left to catch! Rather than go off on a rant, I'll refer to this BR article: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fish1.html Handling Fish Compiled with the assistance of Texas Parks & Wildlife biologists David Campbell and Steve Magnelia Permission to print and distribute this information is freely given by BassResource.com Bass are sensitive creatures that can be injured more easily than you might think. Tips for handling fish before you put them in your livewell include the following common sense items: 1. Keep the fish in water as much as possible. Bass can only hold their breathe as long as you can. Wind and other elements can damage their skin, too. Wet your hands before touching the fish so that you don't remove the slime coat that protects the fish from infections and fungus. Don't handle the fish any longer than you have to, and be gentle, don't drop the fish if you can keep from it. Bouncing off the carpet also destroys their protective slime. So I'm guessing rolling it in dirt probably isn't a good thing. Educate yourselves so that future generations can also enjoy the same sport.

I hear ya man, crazy first week of spring! I keep hearing the weather men talk about the possiblity of an April snow storm! :'( >

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm? ;D

But you forgot to add.........color doesn't matter ;D :-X After thirty-something videos, I didn't think I still had to! ;D I guess I'll have to start keeping a Slammer journal of which color pattern and tally it at the end of the year.

Not trying to knock you fisher but, I thought we talked about this same thing last year about trying to take better care of the fish? :-?

But you forgot to add.........color doesn't matter ;D :-X

See link for full story. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1237775815/0

Nice SM Kevin!!!

Figured I try a small shallow pond today that I hadn't fished in 20 years. This sport never ceases to amaze me. Put in around 11am with water temps around 42-43, wind about 8mph. Started off with a jerk bait which I hate to throw but, wanted to put some bass in the boat. Fished mainly in 4-6 ft of h20 for the first 30 minutes with out a strike. Got bored and switched over to a 3/8oz AT jig I tied in GP red/GP blue with a GP Cazy legs Chigger craw trailer, flipping up tight to wood and rock. Another 30 minutes in and nadda! So, I moved out to deeper water concentrating on deep (for this place) structure in 8-12 ft. About the 6th cast I hook into one going about 2lbs. Tried to mimic what I did with that fish and it seemed to be the key. I would cast it out, almost dead sticking it for 10 seconds or so, and quiver the rod tip while trying not to drag the jig, it worked like a charm for the next 2 hours or so. All jig fish came from the same 8-10ft of water. They were absolutely CRUSHING and INHALING the jig, then run like heck for deeper water. Half a dozen in the 2lb range, one 3lber and one in the 4lb range. The wind kicked up and the temps seemed to drop pretty good. About an hour later I hadn't had another jig fish, so I decided I'd make my way back to the portage and play with the 7" Slammer I painted in a trout pattern. Can not believe how active these fish were for 43*(45 towards the end). I saw a huge ball of bait fish cruising in a back cove, tossed the slammer passed them and started to crank it ever so slowly into the school, just as it entered and spooked the school, another 4lber exploded on it. Stayed with the slammer for the rest of the time working my way back, putting the boat up tight and casting parallel to the shore. One real good one in the 4-5lb range and a couple of 3's. Pulled out around 4:15 thinking what a great day it was for this time of year, and how cool it was to have it happen with the two lures I painted and tied. Pretty cool feeling!

The title on the pic is pickerel. Is that a chain pickerel or a northern? That would be a Pickerel .

1st fish of 09, 4-5lb toothy critter with what seemed to be a fully intact perch or sunfish bulging out of her gut. She made sure I knew she was full by leaving a stinky little deposit on my jacket. ;D Caught on the Bass Magic w/the Owner Beast SB hook.

UPDATE; Blackstone River Watershed Council / Friends of the Blackstone ... Volunteers needed for Cleanup- Sunday March 29th, 8:30am Central Falls Landing ... Soooooo, the Blackstone River T, Central Falls RI, has been turned into a full day T rather than a clean-up. APRIL 19th 7-3pm Thought I'd add this article; Swimmable? :-? Suzanne Buchanan, now the Director of Volunteers, was a child working on the cleanup over 25 years ago. Refreshments and lunch were offered and hundreds of people worked together with a mission and a vision. That mission continues to evolve with a goal of a fishable/swimmable river by 2015. Let's all work together to make sure that dream comes true!

OK, Lincoln Woods is a no go! They had me fill out all the paperwork,called them 2 weeks ago, and they said it was all set. They called me yesturday and they now want me to carry $3,000,000.00 liability insurance for a special event . > ;D Yeah right!

NORTON IS BACK ON THE SCHEDULE. Just got off the phone with them and it's been approved!

It looks like Norton may have to be rescheduled. The Norton Reservoir conservation committee has changed their minds and they now want everyone one involved to have boaters insurance. I'll have to see how many interested actually have boaters insurance on their 8' crawdads ;D That's what I get for trying to do it by the book! : I'll be talking with them again this morning, and see how it goes.

Somebody knows their jigs

dogsmindri@yahoo.com for the info

I got tired of looking for specific jig designs and color patterns every year. So I order some undressed swimmin & flippin jigs, as well as some skirt material, bands rattles and a skirt tool. Played around a little bit and this was the outcome of my 1st attempt. I now believe I'm hooked, this is fun! Now I need to learn how to pour my own, in addition to learning how to tie with thread, rather than using all bands. Though, I'll continue to use some bands for adding ratlles. #1) Swimmin;Top center to right; Rainbow,Chartreuse shad, (2) Sunfish, Blue shad Two of my favorite flippin color combo's; #2) GP Blk blue #3) GP red w/GP blue mix. #4) All flippin.

Relocation postponed. These will take place